Dear Members of the Zoological Society of Japan
At the meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan Board of Directors held on Saturday, June 12 at 9:30 AM, the Zoological Science Editorial Board recommended candidate papers for the 2021 Zoological Science Award. As a result of deliberation, the Board of Directors of the Zoological Society of Japan decided to confer the Zoological Science Award on the following five papers. The authors of the papers will receive a certificate of merit and a cash prize of 50,000 yen.
Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Zoological Society of Japan
Clock Gene Expression in the Eye Exhibits Circadian Oscillation and Light Responsiveness
but is Not Necessary for Nocturnal Locomotor Activity of Japanese Loach, Misgurnus
anguillicaudatus
Yuya Saratani, Yuki Takeuchi, Keiko Okano, Toshiyuki Okano
Zoological Science 37(2): 177-192.
Field: Neurophysiology
This paper examines the daily activity and eyes of the loach, which is widely distributed in East Asia and is also an important aquaculture resource
Focusing on the gene expression of [this species], we investigated its circadian rhythm and the photic input pathway involved in its light entrainment.
This is. Careful analysis of the individual's activity level revealed the circadian rhythm and its light entrainment.
Also, clear circadian rhythms were observed in the expression of clock genes in the eye, but from enucleation experiments, activity
Circadian clocks that drive rhythms exist outside the eyes, and extraretinal photoreceptors are involved in their photoentrainment.
was shown. Furthermore, visual pigments expressed in the retina were comprehensively examined, and microspectrometry, immunohistochemistry
revealed the biochemical properties and localization of opsin, making a remarkable contribution to chronobiology and photobiology
reported results.
Isolation and Characterization of Feeding-Deficient Strains in Inbred Lines of the
Hydrozoan Jellyfish Cladonema pacificum
Kazunori Tachibana, Masaaki Matsumoto, Aiko Minowa, Ryusaku Deguchi
Zoological Science 37(3): 263-270.
Field Genetics
To genetically elucidate the molecular mechanisms of feeding behavior and responses in cnidarians,
It was initiated with the aim of establishing an inbred line using the hydromedusa Cladonema pacificum as a model.
Many strains showing feeding disorders emerged in the process, and although inbreeding itself ended in the 5th generation,
The feeding behavior of a strain that transiently exhibits feeding disorders exclusively in the Medusa generation was analyzed. This feeding diso
Although the pest lineage can capture prey with its tentacles, it kills the prey organisms with a frequency of 25% or less
could not eat. And stenoteles, which are a type of penetrating nematocyst, were almost absent on the tentacles
Due to their non-existence, the failure of differentiated stenoteles to be correctly positioned on the tentacles is the cause of the feeding disorder.
It was thought that. Toward the establishment of inbred lines in cnidarians, as well as the elucidation of cnida differentiation and feeding behavior
is an important achievement toward
Cryptic Speciation of the Oriental Greenfinch Chinese greenfinch on Oceanic Islands
Takema Saitoh, Kazuto Kawakami, Yaroslav A. Red’kin, Isao Nishiumi, Chang-Hoe Kim,
Alexey P. Kryukov
Zoological Science 37(3): 280-294.
Field
The oriental greenfinch is a seed-eating finch distributed in Russia, China, Korea, and Japan, with a maximum of eight subspecies.
has been considered a species consisting of. However, the distribution range throughout conducted by the authors of this paper (su
Namely, all subspecies) has never been conducted before, including molecular phylogenetic analysis and comparative analysis of morphological traits. Author
have biologically determined that the population of the Ogasawara Islands, which has hitherto been considered a subspecies, is distinct from the narrow sense of the Oriental greenfinch
revealing it to be a different species (the Bonin grosbeak) and that it is one of the few at risk of extinction
showed that it is a unique Japanese endemic species. This achievement is not only a taxonomic discovery but also of rare species
It is also attracting widespread public attention from the perspectives of conservation and others, and its significant contribution to zoology as a whole is highly evaluated.
Cut.
Facilitated NaCl Uptake in the Highly Developed Bundle of the Nephron in Japanese Red
Stingray Hemitrygon akajei Revealed by Comparative Anatomy and Molecular Mapping
Naotaka Aburatani, Wataru Takagi, Marty Kwok-Sing Wong, Mitsutaka Kadota, Shigehiro
Kuraku, Kotaro Tokunaga, Kazuya Kofuji, Kazuhiro Saito, Waichiro Godo, Tatsuya
Sakamoto, Susumu Hyodo
Zoological Science 37(5): 458-466.
Field: Physiology
Cartilaginous fishes generally store urea in their blood to cope with the osmotic pressure difference with the outside world, but rays and sharks
Comparing them, there are more species of rays that are adaptable to hypoosmotic environments. The authors suggest that this euryhaline adaptation is possible
To elucidate the reasons for its ability, we actually compared the kidneys of rays with those of sharks during urine production regarding urea and salts
It was shown that reabsorption can be carried out efficiently. Furthermore, the ability of the ray's kidneys is in the kidneys
caused by differences in the structure of nephrons or the expression levels of transporter proteins expressed in renal tubules
revealed that it is. Thus, this paper comprehensively integrates histology, physiology, and biochemistry.
The analysis provided important insights into osmotic adaptation.
Male Germ Cell Development Perinereis nuntia and Gamete Spawning Mechanisms in
Males and Females
Maria January Peter, Mercedes Maceren-Pates, Gaudioso Pates Jr, Michiyasu Yoshikuni,
Yoshihisa Kurita
Zoological Science 37(6): 519-528.
Field: Developmental Biology
Annelids are an extremely diverse taxonomic group, among which polychaetes include many species and are marine
plays an important role in the ecosystem. In addition, although their reproductive modes are diverse, germ cells
Many details, such as how they differentiate, remain unclear. This paper examines the living
Provides critical information detailing the proliferation and differentiation of germ cells. Germline cells
identified by in situ hybridization of the marker gene, and during metamorphosis into the reproductive morph
histologically describe in detail the processes of gamete formation and release, and also examine male and female differentiation
It provides important results for understanding the diversity of animal reproductive modes and is highly commendable.
